The author is conflicted about the FIFA World Cup due to the organization's corrupt and exploitative practices. FIFA's tax-exempt status and demands for host countries to provide tax breaks and other perks have led to financial burdens on countries like Brazil. The organization's influence has also led to the passage of laws that prioritize sponsor interests, such as allowing beer sales in stadiums despite initial bans. The author criticizes FIFA's leadership, particularly Sepp Blatter, and its handling of scandals, including corruption and bribery allegations. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is also problematic due to the country's slave-like working conditions and migrant worker exploitation, which has resulted in thousands of deaths. Despite these issues, the author remains excited about the World Cup, acknowledging the significant impact soccer has on people's lives, comparing FIFA to an organized religion.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The 2014 FIFA World Cup was held in Brazil.
2. The Brazilian government spent over $11 billion to prepare for the World Cup.
3. A new stadium was built in Manaus, Brazil, at a cost of $270 million.
4. The stadium in Manaus is located in a remote area and can only be reached by boat or plane.
5. The stadium materials were shipped from Portugal and up the Amazon River.
6. There is no soccer team in Manaus that can fill the stadium after the World Cup.
7. FIFA is exempt from paying taxes in Brazil.
8. Brazil allowed FIFA to forego $250 million in taxes.
9. FIFA forced Brazil to pass a law allowing beer sales in soccer stadiums, despite a previous ban.
10. The law was nicknamed the "Budweiser bill" due to the company's sponsorship of FIFA.
11. FIFA set up special courts in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup, which were used to prosecute crimes committed during the tournament.
12. Two FIFA executives were suspended on corruption charges.
13. Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president, resigned amid bribery accusations.
14. FIFA has been involved in numerous corruption scandals over the years.
15. FIFA's headquarters is modeled after the war room from the movie Dr. Strangelove.
16. FIFA has a reserve fund of over $1 billion.
17. Sepp Blatter, the head of FIFA, said that women's soccer should be made more popular by having players wear shorter shorts.
18. FIFA spent $27 million to fund a fictionalized version of their history, starring Tim Roth as Sepp Blatter.
19. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar.
20. Summer temperatures in Qatar can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
21. Migrant workers in Qatar are not allowed to leave the country without an exit visa, which must be approved by their employer.
22. Over 4,000 workers are expected to die during the construction of the 2022 World Cup stadiums in Qatar.